TSA v Sunscreen - the reality?
 

I am looking for real life experience from people regarding whether TSA is requiring you to toss your aerosol sunscreen that is NOT 3oz or less. I cannot find the particular one we use (skin sensitivity, etc) in anything less than 5oz and would prefer not to waste $$ just having them toss it. I would also prefer not to buy it at the airport after security if at all possible.

Thanks in advance!
Sara

Put it in your checked baggage. If no checked, buy a couple of 3 oz containers and repackage.

if you are not checking bags then you are stuck. it's not a medication so needs to be 3 oz or less.

Why buy it at the airport? Why not just get it at your destination?

There are now various high-end sunblocks from the cosmetics manufacturers. May not be easy to find at the destination. :)

You can always order the product and have it shipped to your hotel, condo or rental house ahead of you arrival.

"<i>I am looking for real life experience from people regarding whether TSA is requiring you to toss your aerosol sunscreen that is NOT 3oz or less.</i>"

As of now, the rule is 3 oz or less. Why would think larger sizes are OK?

Odds are if you put it in you little baggie

With other 3 ounce containers

you will sneak it through

I have but you might lose it

especially if it is a brand they like.

It is a simple matter to put it in 2 3 ounce containers if you want to be 100% safe

I had 4 ounces of sunscreen in original container in the 1 qt ziplock bag with other stuff. It was rejected by TSA at Boston/Logan.

OP was asking about an aerosol sunscreen that was over the 3 oz (actually 3.4 oz) limit so advising him/her to put the contents into several smaller containers won't work very well.

As to whether or not OP ill be able to get a 7 oz container past the TSA screener that's anyone's guess but as most responders pointed out since the limit is 3 oz the odds are very small a 7 oz container will pass.

FOr OP - You could cite all the "real life experiences" where people have been allowed to pass TSA with bottles containing more than 3 oz you want but that won't help YOU since you will be at the mercy of the TSA inspector manning the checkpoint at the time you fly. If the TSA agent says the container is too large telling them that people on a travel forum told you it would be OK won't amount to a hill of beans.

Either pack it in your checked luggage or run the risk (very high) of it being confiscated. All you have to do is look at the large bins at every checkpoint that are filled with large bottles of confiscated liquids/gels.

I'm planning a short weekend trip to Kona with my extended family - lots of pool and beach time for the kids. Since it's a short trip I plan on just bringing a carryon and just recently realized that bringing my preferred sunscreen in an aerosol can would be a problem.

I just ended up buying a 3 oz tube of sunscreen, figuring that the larger aerosol can would definitely be confiscated.

So if you've got to have the aerosol sunscreen, just pack it in your checked luggage as others have said.

Ah ha. I overlooked the 'aerosol' part. Checked baggage it is to avoid any risk of confiscation.

*aerosol* sunscreen, guys, you can't just split it into smaller containers!

There's always the chance you could get something thru, but no it is not within the guidelines, so yes it may well be taken from you.

Why not just check a bag?

I had this same issue when I went to Hawaii. I like the spray, too. However, going carry-on I decided to leave it at home and buy another when we got there. Checking baggage costs $25, new can of sunscreen $10.

The recommended amount of sunscreen per application is 1 ounce - far more than most people actually use. So unless you are not using it on large parts of your body, you are going to have to buy some when you get there anyway.

That's fine to buy upon arrival, but from the wording of this post I think this is something special that they might not be able to find at their destination? But then I'm confused by saying they could buy it at the airport after security. I can't recall ever seeing it there.

Anyway the answer is either: bring the 5 oz but be prepared to have it taken by TSA, check a bag, buy upon arrival, find a 3 oz size :-)